Monday, March 27, 2006

Hong Kong: choke hold













On Sunday around 25 Greenpeace China activists planted 106 crosses into the coal ash lagoon belonging to Hong Kong's major power generator and electricity distributor, CLP Power.
The coal ash lagoon is a depository for ash that remains as a result of the production cycle required for the generation of electricity at the nearby coal-burning Castle Peak Power Station.
According to Greenpeace China, the 106 crosses symbolise CLP Power’s 106-year coal burning operation in Hong Kong.
Greenpeace is calling on CLP Power to commit to a timetable to phase-out its coal burning operation in order to reduce the emission of air pollutants.
Greenpeace China is perhaps wise to focus on CLP Power, for standing behind CLP Power is the mighty ExxonMobil.
Whilst CLP Power operates the three power plants -- Castle Peak, Black Point, Penny's Bay -- that supply most of Hong Kong with its electricity, it does so on behalf of Castle Peak Power Ltd, which is a partnership between ExxonMobil (60%) and CLP Power (40%).
Greenpeace China's more bolshie bretheren Greenpeace USA have labeled ExxonMobil the "No. 1 climate criminal". Among other things, ExxonMobil continues to insist that fossil fuels aren't the main cause of global warming.
So, go after the weaker link: CLP Power.
Greenpeace China should, however, be cautious and watch their backs and keep their accounts in good order in light of recent events in the USA: Did a Group Financed by Exxon Prompt IRS to Audit Greenpeace? Wall Street Journal

Photo © Greenpeace/Alex Hofford Greenpeace China

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